Former Chairman of the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC), Rabieh Krayem, has today been announced as chairman of the newest A-League club, Macarthur FC.
Outgoing Chairman Lang Walker AO said that now that the club is established it’s time to hand over the reins.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the bid process to be part of the A-League, and working with the various councils that are involved with our bid, as well as so many community members.
“However, we are in a different phase of development now which requires a broader level of experience in football and sporting administration and, importantly, someone with more time.
“With my business and overseas interests, I would not be able to devote the time to support the CEO Archie Fraser and other exciting initiatives such as the first A-League Indigenous Academy headed by Professor John Maynard,” Walker said.
“Rabieh is the right man for the time. He knows the A-League and the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Premier Leagues competition, he understands the football development pathway, he’s worked in marketing and media and, as someone who grew up in Sydney, he understands the western Sydney community.
“I have absolute confidence in his ability to take the club forward and, together with Archie and our head coach Ante Milicic, see it become the biggest and most successful club in the A-League.”
Krayem will also be Macarthur FC’s representative on the Australian Professional Football Clubs’ Association.
Walker will continue to stay as a member of the Board, along with other co-founders, deputy chairman Gino Marra and Sam Krslovic.
“I look forward to working with Rabieh as the Chairman of Macarthur,” said Marra.
“He brings enormous drive and energy and a deep understanding of the machinations, politics and issues involved in our game.
“All of us at Macarthur want to see football succeed and realise its potential, and that is why we are part of the A-League and fully support a national second division,” Marra added.
Under the terms of the agreement between the co-founders of Macarthur FC, Krayem will be Chairman for three years on behalf of the Walker Corporation interests.
